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Wednesday, 13 August 2014

The New Saltist Reels from Daiwa

Reel
Preview

The New Saltist Reels from Daiwa feature "Full-Metal Jacket"
construc

Date:

2/09/05

Tackle type:

Reels

Manufacturer:

Daiwa

Reviewer:

Zander

Introduction:
Daiwa's new baitcasters are so popular with freshwater anglers they are
backordered all across the US, but offshore anglers can rest assured that they
haven't forgotten about their saltwater customers. Introducing the Daiwa
Saltist, a very exciting new reel that is designed to deliver a new level of
performance at the sub 200 dollar price point. While the Saltist is well within
the reach of most anglers, this is by no means a stripped down reel. Quite the
contrary in fact, the Saltist features "Full-Metal Jacket" construction and
manages to pack in performance enhancing features not usually seen in reels
costing up to 30% more!

Introducing Daiwa's new
Saltist....which certainly looks like the little brother of the award winning
Saltiga

Full Metal Jacket:
The Daiwa Saltist is instantly recognizable, as it bears a striking resemblance
to the award winning Daiwa Saltiga.
This younger sibling of the ultra refined Saltiga may not be completely
machined, but it does feature a full metal construction. Virtually all
components are metal for maximum reliability. Most competitor reels at this
price point are chock full of graphite components. Like the Saltiga, the Saltist
is built to handle ultra-strong braided lines in addition to traditional mono.
To eliminate body flex the frame and sideplates are all constructed of rigid
aluminum alloy. The Saltist bears a 4.9:1 gear ratio and is capable of pulling
in over a yard of line with every handle turn, winding power is actually up to
30% greater than similar reels. Four ball bearings and a roller bearing add
efficiency to the drive train support, with Daiwa’s special CRBB anti-corrosion
ball bearings supporting the spool.

Machined Gears: The Saltist main gears are
machined from Daiwa's exclusive high strength alloy stock. These gears have very
tight tolerances for extra high strength and a smooth retrieve feel. With a
powerful ratio and rigid frame support the Saltist should deliver exceptional
winding power right out of the box.

No graphite sideplates, the frame and
every plate is built from high grade aluminum

Drag: The Saltist features a
similar drag system as the Saltiga with stainless and grease impregnated fiber
washers that offer super-smooth drag pressure up to 22% greater than the max
drag of competitor reels of the same size. The secret rests in the wet drag
system which effectively combats performance robbing heat while maintaining
maximum contact with each disc's surface.

The oversized power grip found on
the Saltiga finds its way to the Saltist

Ergonomics: Bottom line, if you like the
Saltiga's ergonomics you will like the Saltist. Basic layout is very similar,
and the "Full Metal Jacket" construction delivers a refined yet rugged feel. The
same ergonomic handle we liked on the Saltiga has also made its way onto the
Saltist. For added security the reel comes with an aluminum rod clamp.

Conclusion:
There will be three Saltist models landing at local tackle shops any day now.
These are the STT30T, STT40, and STT50 which are priced at $169.99, $179.99, and
$189.99 respectively. Daiwa's Saltiga is a work of art, but the premium price of
the reel has kept some anglers "wishing" rather than "fishing" with the fine
product. With the introduction of the Saltist everyone will be able to enjoy
Daiwa quality, ergonomics, and performance at an excellent price point well
below the 200 dollar mark! While many competitors offer Saltwater reels with
graphite components Daiwa bucks the trend with an all metal construction,
quality wet drag, and superior machined gears. While we are still scratching our
heads trying to figure out exactly how Daiwa managed to squeeze so much reel
into such a low price tag, offshore anglers are sure to take pleasure in the
amazing value that the Saltist represents. While our field tests will ultimately
deliver the final verdict, its certainly hard to deny that on paper the Saltist
has "Best Value" written all over it.